Winterizing Deadline

[p sully]

We live in Southern Iowa and have a daughter visiting us from San Diego the week of Oct. 12th.<br />She wanted to have a ride in our Sea Ray BR 185<br />I/O. We mormally don't get a hard freeze here until the end of October/early November.At what point does cold weather do damage to the engine?<br />Below 32? 28? etc.?<br /><br />P Sully

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Winterizing Deadline

The more volume of water, the longer it takes to freeze enough to cause expansion damage. Unfortunatley, there is not enough volume in the cooling system of a boat to go much below freezing without problems. I would not consider leaving any water in the cooling system if the temps get even 34 or 35 degrees. The potential problems and cost far outweigh someone getting a ride. There is always next season. Unless you know reliably that the night time temps won't get below 35 degrees, don't risk it.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Winterizing Deadline

I keep my boat on the trailer, so a sudden freeze concerns me also, come that time of year, What I do to extend my season a week or 2 is Drain the block and manifolds, there is not enough water left to cause any harm if the temp dips a bit below one or 2 nights, I usally pour the winter juice in by about the 3rd week of Oct..If boat is wet slipped then there is enough heat coming from the water its in to prevent a hard freeze. I see boats in the water until the first of November some years.

 

[jpbaker]

Re: Winterizing Deadline

When I had my I/O and wanted to extend my use time, or just didn't have the time to winterize if a sudden cold front moved in unexpectedly, I would just drop a shop light with a 150 watt bulb<br />in the dog house. and leave it on over night or until I could make time. Costs no more than leaving your porch light on. Since the engine compartment was fairly enclosed this seem to enough heat to hold off the chill. Please note that this was just a temporary fix and should not be dependant in a hard freeze, just when the temp was going to get near freezing.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winterizing Deadline

Well, I live up here where H*ll Freezes Over Every Year.....<br />I continue Fishing Every Year till the Ice is so Thick at the boat launches, That I Can't Break through..... Last year was the 2nd week of December... All I do is Drain Everything Every Trip, From Mid-October till I Quit.... Then it's into my Shop for a Full Service...<br />I Know where the Drains are,+ have Added Extras, So I Know There's NO Water, Anywhere in my Boat....